marrying Miss
Harlowe!----After the hard usage----

What hard usage, Mr. Hickman? I don't doubt but a lady of her niceness
has represented what would appear trifles to any other, in a very strong
light.

If what I have had hinted to me, Sir--excuse me--had been offered to the
lady, she has more than trifles to complain of.

Let me know what you have heard, Mr. Hickman? I will very truly answer
to the accusations.

Sir, you know best what you have done: you own the lady is the most
injured, as well as the most deserving of her sex.

I do, Sir; and yet I would be glad to know what you have heard: for on
that, perhaps, depends my answer to the questions Miss Howe puts to me by
you.

Why then, Sir, since you ask it, you cannot be displeased if I answer
you:--in the first place, Sir, you will acknowledge, I suppose, that you
promised Miss Harlowe marriage, and all that?

Well, Sir, and I suppose what you have to charge me with is, that I was
desirous to have all that, without marriage?

Cot-so, Sir, I know you are deemed to be a man of wit: but may I not ask
if these things sit not too light upon you?

When a thing is done, and cannot be helped, 'tis right to make the best
of it. I wish the lady would think so too.

I think, Sir, ladies should not be deceived. I think a promise to a lady
should be as binding as to any other person, at the least.

I believe you think so, Mr. Hickman: and I believe you are a very honest,
good sort of a man.

I would always keep my word, Sir, whether to man or woman.

You say well. And far be it from me to persuade you to do otherwise.
But what have you farther heard?

(Thou wilt think, Jack, I must be very desirous to know in what light my
elected spouse had represented things to Miss Howe; and how far Miss Howe
had communicated them to Mr. Hickman.)

Sir, this is no part of my present business.

But, Mr. Hickman, 'tis part of mine. I hope you would not expect that I
should answer your questions, at the same time that you refused to answer
mine. What, pray, have you farther heard?

Why then, Sir, if I must say, I am told, that Miss Harlowe was carried to
a very bad house.

Why, indeed, the people did not prove so good as they should be.--What
farther have you heard?

I have heard, Sir, that the lady had strange advantages taken of her,
very unfair ones: but what I cannot say.

And cannot you say? Cannot you guess?--Then I'll tell you, Sir. Perhaps
some libe